Every once in awhile you are presented with the opportunity to do something completely unique. That's how I felt planning this baby shower. My dear friend pretty much just said "surprise me" with the theme! A planners dream!!! So the search began with finding the perfect theme for this special lady. She is a unique individual and deserved something original, so after looking at her tattoo for the hundredth time, I decided to create a Skelly the Skeleton Girl baby shower. With her favorite book permanently inked on her arm it seemed like the perfect and most unexpected theme!

The party colors were taken from Skelly the Skeleton Girl book's cover (Jimmy Pickering also wrote and illustrated Skelly & Femur that was also on display). Keeping in the Skelly spirit, I chose purple, orange, and black.

For decor, I recreated images from the book using a projector and then cut out colored sections of paper to create the characters. I did so with permission from the author to use his images with a promise not sell them. (Yes, I REALLY asked! And yes he REALLY responded!) I also used the characters in a few food items. The tablescape apothecary jars contained "Skelly Kisses" and "Femur Treats." These were created by scanning the images, reducing their size and printing them onto sticker paper. Next they were cut out and stuck to the bottom of Hersey's Kisses and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. "Skelly's Spooky S'mores" were created with ghost marshmallow peeps, graham crackers, and Hersey's bars served on a "toast it yourself" platter. Other desserts served were mini caramel apples, poisonous parfaits, purple cake balls, candy corn bark, and pumpkin bars. For appetizers, there was antipasto with garlic bread, a cool pasta salad, and some darling cream cheese cucumber and tuna horseradish tea sandwiches. For drinks, wine, lemonade, soda, and water were served in fabulous skull head glasses. These were a huge hit!

The cake was the focal point of the tablescape. Skelly's friends embellished the entire top layer with Skelly herself walking her pet bat on top.

While enjoying the festivities, guests were asked to fill out a library card questionnaire. Since the guest of honor is looking to add more books to her baby's library, we asked guests to write down their favorite book a child OR their child's favorite book. Library cards were then bound into a mini book for mommy to refer back to when she is needing ideas to expand the family's book collection.

Upon departing, guests were offered chocolate covered pretzels and their choice of Bath & Body Works pumpkin or plum lotion.

It was truly a good time by all!

Vendor Credit & Resources

Theme Inspiration: The children's book, Skelly the Skeleton Girl by Jimmy Pickering (image reproductions made with permission from author and are not to be sold)